Navy Region Singapore Services Help Sailors and Their Families Enjoy Southeast Asia

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jay C. Pugh, Commander, Task Force 73 Public Affairs

SINGAPORE (NNS) -- Sailors and their families stationed in Singapore are taking advantage of improved Morale, Warfare, and Recreation programs offered through the Navy Region Singapore (NRS) staff to enhance their experience of living and serving in the Lion City.

The number one mission of NRS is to support the military community in Singapore and visiting fleet Sailors during their routine port visits.

According to Nelson Sinnappan, NRS community activities manager, MWR supports NRS's mission by providing the most updated information to community members and deployed visiting forces on travel, tours, outdoor activities, hotels stays, site-seeing and local travel tips.

"We want the community here and visiting Sailors to know that when they are in Singapore, they have a reliable MWR and ITT office to provide them the best information, best rates and best services to ensure their stay is memorable, entertaining and safe," said Sinnappan.

The MWR and ITT office at NRS made numerous improvements in the last year including the grand opening of a new office location last fall between Navy Federal Credit Union and Subway Restaurant in headquarters building for Navy Region Center Singapore. MWR and ITT now offer a one-stop-shop for eligible patrons to find discounted tickets to attractions such as Universal Studios, Singapore zoo, the city aquarium and waterpark. Sinnappan also emphasized the addition of self-guided, cultural tours to include Little India, Chinatown, Malay Village and Sentosa.

"Since we opened the new operational location, many people have benefited. We've contacted many businesses and restaurants and were able to get discounted prices. We often have better rates than customers who search for activities at hotels or travel agencies," said Sinnappan.

Scott Jungk, director of NRS Fleet and Family Readiness, expressed his enthusiasm for the increased capabilities of NRS' MWR and ITT programs. According to Jungk, in the last three years, NRS has met the demand from the community for a more robust MWR program with a finger on the pulse of what Sailors and their families are interested in doing.

"Seeing the results from getting the right folks in the right positions to improve the programs here in Singapore is phenomenal," said Jungk. "Not only in terms of where we were and where we are now, but in terms of where we're going in supporting our Sailors and their families."

MWR and ITT are also working to provide more organized trips so service members can take advantage of their opportunities to experience Southeast Asia and its culture.

"Our goal is to provide Sailors and their families great quality of life initiatives and services to include our MWR programs, the Navy Exchange, and comfortable housing and first-rate facilities that make serving here in Singapore rewarding and productive," said Capt. Scott Murdock, commanding officer, Navy Region Center Singapore. "We also want to continue to make improvements in all these areas so that Singapore continues to be a great place to serve and a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience of living and serving our Navy in Southeast Asia."